The Last Day of September

Day 273

 

Today is the last day of September. As I am deciding on my photo of the day... I am admiring my 4 very tall sunflowers in the garden. Two of the these plants I am sure are about 10 feet tall and 2 might be 8 feet tall. 

These flowers can lift someones spirits, make the yard shine with its bright and cheery faces. Their petals are called rays and have a sun like appearance. 

Sunflowers symbolize adoration, loyalty, and longevity. Much of the meaning of sunflowers stems from its name sake, the sun itself. ... Sunflowers are known for being 'happy' flowers, making them the perfect gift.  

 

Here are a few Sunflower photographs that I took for you to enjoy!

Close up/ Macro lens ~ Sunflower bud

 

Sunflower~ Macro Lens

I took the above photo with my macro lens yesterday... I was surprised at the photo, and the visitor to the sunflower! 

Sunflower ~ 75-300mm lens

 Bowing its head in the rain....

Look up, way, way up!

 

Closeup~ 75-300mm lens

Red Sunflower

The last sunflower photo, I used my 24mm lens... these 2 sunflowers are about 4 feet tall. The had a bit of frost on them earlier this week, and are doing very well! 

 

I hope you enjoyed today's photographs. A little bit of sunshine on a cloudy day!

 

I will see you tomorrow, a new day, a new month!

Jewels 

"Facing the sun is a choice a sunflower makes every single day." unknown

 

Still Life ~ Apple/Peeling

Day 272

 

Apples have always been rich in symbolism. The apple has been used as an ominous or even dangerous object in many old myths or folklore, for example in the fairy tale, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs or from the bible, Adam and Eve. 

As kids we would peel the apple very carefully and drop the peel to the ground ~ the dropped peel is suppose to spell out the initial of your future love. 

From peeling apples to make tarts, pies, crisps, crumbles or just to eat. Apples have been a staple in many a lunch box!  

 

Still Life ~ Apple/Peeling

No pies today, just having my 'Apple a Day' keeps the doctor away snack!

I couldn't peel the apple in one peel! Maybe another time! 

 

I will see you very soon!

 

Jewels 

 "The heat of Autumn is different from the heat of summer. One ripens apples the other turns them into cider." Unknown

Underexposed

 Day 271

If a photo is too dark, it is underexposed. Details will be lost in the shadows and the darkest areas of the image. 

I had noticed that there were these little birds flying in and out of the beet patch. I quickly grabbed my 75-300mm lens, quickly and quietly tip toed to a spot to take photos of these birds. I knew they were not going to stay long, esp. if they sense a human with a camera around. 

When I reviewed my photo I notice that I didn't change my settings from the last photo shoot, which created a dark image. 

I will show you 2 images. One straight from the camera and the second one that I fixed up the best I can in Lightroom.  

Underexposed

As  you can see, a dark photo. I would of deleted this photo right at the camera. 

A slight underexposure can lead to a deepening of color and saturation which can create a nice effect such as sunsets/sunrises. 

Now that this photo is fixed... it is better. Now I can see what kind of birds are sitting in the beet patch. It still is not a great picture. Not a keeper, but... now  I know that these birds like to hang out in the beets, I will be ready!

How do wild life photographers get those amazing, clear, wonderful and  spontaneous photos of birds, bugs etc? Most animals are always on the move and hardly sit and pose for you! 

Until tomorrow!

Jewels 

"No matter what yesterday was like, birds always start the new day with a song."

Unknown

First

Day  270

Whoop there it is the.... the first frost of the Fall/Autumn season! I am so glad I harvested the tomatoes yesterday! 

This frost was light as compared to the heavy frosts we have had in the past. We still have lots frosty weather yet to come!

 Our last frost can be around May 20th and our first can be expected Sept.11th. The earliest we've had frost was the middle of August. We are very lucky this year!

 There was no time to hesitate, there I am in my flip flops and blue housecoat wandering the front and back yard to get a frost picture for today's photo challenge!(yes Robert was chuckling!)

First Frost

 As you can see on this sunflower, a sprinkling of frost. I am saddened to think that this sunflower may not flower.

It didn't take long and the morning warmed up and the frost melted. 

 

 

When we get more frosty mornings, I am thinking about using my macro lens to try and get a close up photo of what the frost looks like.. or even some in B & W. We will see!

 Time to dig out those warm sweaters and hot chocolate. Time to walk in the woods and hear the crunch of the leaves under your feet. Time to snuggle by the fire, read a good book, or knit up some scarves!

 

Until tomorrow!

 

Jewels

"Life starts all over again in the fall when it gets crisp outside." Unknown 

Love Apples aka Tomatoes

Day 269

 

 

Love Apples, yes that is what they are called by the French (pomme d'amour) or the love apple. Many years ago the French thought that the tomato had aphrodisiac properties. 

While eating tomatoes have many great benefits, eating too many may give you problems. One of those is acid reflux. 

Love Apples Aka Tomatoes

 

I decided to harvest my tomatoes. I have a fear that frost will do harm to my plants.  The green ones will be stored to ripen in the house.

 There are some great recipes for green tomatoes such as: Fried Green Tomatoes  green tomato salsa, green tomato relish. 

 We guesstimated that we picked about 25 pounds of tomatoes from 4 plants. 

 

 I think tonight's dinner will be hamburgers on the BBQ with a slice of fresh home grown tomatoes! 

 

I will see you next time!

Jewels 

 

"Enjoying life one sip at a time!"  

Happy Birthday Robert

Day 268

 

 

 If I could...

If I could sing, I'd sing a song

filled with love and promise

Using notes and melody

Musical Bouquet

If I could paint, with brush strokes 

I could show you how I feel,

With colour, light and texture

I'd prove my love is real

If I cold fly, I'd soar so high

Grazing heaven above

Trailing a giant banner

Robert is the one I love!

I can't do those, but I can do this,

I can hug you tight and say,

I hope your birthday is the best!

Happy Birthday Robert!

(Unknown)

Happy Birthday Robert

 

 

 

I will see you all tomorrow!

Jewels

"Age is merely the number of years the world has been enjoying you!" Unknown 

Black & White photos

Day 267

 

Today's photo challenge is Black & White photography. I decided to return to Cottonwood Island Park and take photos with my camera set in Monochrome mode. I wanted to see what the park, the river, the scene in front of me would look like in Black and White. 

 

Feather and steel

 

Here in Prince George, everyone is taking a photo of our railway bridge. Taking a photo in Black and White, this photo has a different mood than if I took this photo in colour. 

Willow Path

 

The pathway in colour is very pretty, esp with the willow tree covering the path. Taking the photo in Black and White created a different mood. To me this photo created a mystical, magical and a wee bit scary.

 

Black and White Bridge (edited)

One more photo;

This photo, I did some extra editing to the picture. I played with the exposure and contrast levels, to give it that artistic feel to the photo.  

 

 Thank you for taking a look at today's photo challenge!

I wills see you tomorrow!

 

Jewels 

 

"What I like about Black and White photographs is that they're more like reading the book than seeing the movie." Unknown

 

Comfort and Joy

 Day 266

I find it comforting to spend time with my friends and my family. Especially when we can get together, hang out in someone's kitchen and create something tasty from the garden. Like the Rhubarb, Raspberry and Cherry Cello's we made over the summer.

What to do with the leftover alcohol infused fruit? You can nibble away as you are filtering and bottling the cello's or save it and make something like desserts or jam!

My friend Betty and I, we made the first batch of jam together, raspberries and Rainier Cherries (white cherries) from the cello's. The kitchen was a joyful place.. now I am not sure if it was from the alcohol infused fruit and the jam we were sampling or just a couple of friends having fun! 

Raspberry & cherrycello Jam

Homemade Butterhorns

 

 

There is something comforting to sit outside in the morning sunshine, having your breakfast. My stomach was feeling the joy of homemade jam on homemade buns and a great cup of coffee.

It was great fun cooking in the kitchen with my friend Betty and we have one more batch of jam to make from the Rhubarbcello and Cherrycello! 

(Thank you Betty for the photo ideas!)

Bon Appetit Everyone!

Until tomorrow

Jewels

(PS.... 100 day's until my photo challenge is finished! )

"All Happiness depends of a leisurely Breakfast." Unknown

First Day of Fall

Day 265

 

Happy First Day of Fall everyone! 

I took a walk along the Nechako River Trails and admiring the colours of Fall. 

Here is a few photographs for you to enjoy!

Coffee and a walk in the fall leaves

 

 

Time for long pants, sweaters, hot beverages, long walks, holding hands, dark mornings, early nights, and comfort food!

 

Thank you ! 

I will see you tomorrow!

Jewels 

"Autumn.... the year's last, loveliest smiles." W.C.Bryant 

Old

 Day 264

Thinking about the word 'Old', I immediately thought about a building, cars, castles or something of museum quality. After traveling in Europe a few times, would I consider anything in Prince George as 'Old'? 

Since we are not traveling to Europe in the near future, I hunted around the house looking for something 'Old'. 

'Old'

 

I am sure most people will know what this is! I put the empty wooden spool of thread in the photo to give you a hint. 

I used my macro lens and then I edited the photos in Black and White and the bottom photo on Antique. 

I look at my Singer Sewing machine... it is a treadle operated sewing machine. I am not sure what year it was built. I do wonder how many items someone had created, mended, fixed on this machine. At the time the clothes and this sewing machine was new and it was the height of fashion! 

I will see you all tomorrow!

Jewels

"I love older things that people have used and cherished. They have personality, character and soul." Unknown

Dancing in the breeze

 Day 263

 

 

Coffee cup in hand I was walking around the yard to check and see how my Petunias did in the rain we had last night. 

Dancing in the breeze

 

I am pretty amazed at the strength of the spider's web. I watched these 2 leaves dance twist and turn in the breeze. 

Trying to photograph a leaf suspended in midair even attached by a spiders silk was challenging enough. 

 

In mid air

 What would you think if I didn't tell you that these leaves were attached? 

Hanging by a thread

The miracle of nature and all its wonder. Just watching these two leaves dance spin in the breeze. I feel lucky to enjoy the beauty and the miracle. 

Until the next time!

Jewels

"The artist is a receptacle for emotions that come from all over the place; from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a Spider's Web." Pablo Picasso

Rain

 Day 262

What do you do when it is raining and you were planning to be outdoors to harvest, take photos, drink coffee or other beverages outside? 

You light a fire, make jam with a friend and quickly nip outside and take close up photos of your Tarragon in the herb garden. It is covered with tiny droplets of rain!

Raindrops on Tarragon

 The rain drops sparkle like diamonds on the Tarragon. I used my macro lens to get closer to these tiny droplets of rain

 

Marco shot of raindroplets

When I was looking at my Tarragon, I didn't realize that it is starting to flower. 

 

Until next time! 

Jewels 

 

"Let your life lightly dance on the edges of Time like dew on the tip of a leaf......"

Unknown

Still Life: Edible Garden

Day 261

 

Now that we have started to harvest our vegetable garden, I need to think about picking and preserving some of my herbs.

There are so many plants/flowers and also what we call weeds that are edible. I thought I would pick a few and create a bouquet of herbs as my photo challenge. 

Bouquet garni

 Edible garden is a garden that contains flowers, herbs, seeds, berries and plants you can eat. 

 

Here is what I have laid out for my photo: Thyme, Oregano, sage, chive, rosemary, summer and winter savory.

Lavender  plantain, pansy, dandelion, dill

Squash blossom, mint, pansy, bee balm, marigold.

Raspberry, nasturtiums and chickweed are just a few of the edibles in our yard.

 There are so many edible plants in the yard.

*Please check google, or the library before eating anything that you are not familiar with.*

 Did you know that young tomato leaves are edible? 

 Bon Appetite everyone!

 

Until tomorrow

Jewels 

PS, we had a bear come visit early this morning! Now that would of been a photo for you to see!

 "Plant Smiles, Grow Laughter, Harvest Love" 

I spy with my little eye.....

 Day 260

 

 

Something yellow and red!!  A sunflower blooming, finally and before the first hit of frost!! 

Yes, I was taking 50+ photos of my sunflower with my macro lens, up close, very close, different settings.  

I couldn't decide which ones to post.. so I have a few to share with you!

What is yellow and red

Sunflower side view

Sun shine on the Sunflower

Close up ~ Side View

Someone recently said that Sunflowers are happy flowers. I think so too. I am thrilled with my first one that has opened to the sunshine and I am looking forward in seeing more open up! (stay away Mr. Jack Frost!) 

I will see you again tomorrow! 

Keep smiling and be happy!

Jewels 

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. That's what sun flowers do." H. Keller 

Fog

Day 259

Today is VFW! Happy Very Foggy Wednesday to you all. As I am currently working on this blog and downloading today's photo shoot. The fog is lifting, the sun is trying very hard to come out.

 

Foggy morning on the river

 

Bridge disappearing into the fog

The bridge in the fog

 

 The fog was thick this morning, you couldn't see the highway bridge behind the railway bridge. 

 

The fog has lifted and the sun is out,I think I will go outside with my coffee!

 

Until next time!

 

Jewels 

 

"Sometimes we need the Fog to remind us that Not all of Life is Black and White." Unknown

 

Carmel

 Day 258

 

Stopping in at on of my favorite coffee places, The Cafe Voltaire, here in Prince George, I knew I would find something made with Carmel. 

To enjoy such a treat you need to find a beautiful location. How about a park with a view and flower beds to enjoy. It is a must... a view, the sunshine and delicious treat... dessert in the middle of the day!

 

Salted Carmel Frappe, Strawberry Rhubarb Hand Pie and the View!

 

 

 

Tasty treat enjoyed among the flowers

What a great place to relax on your own, or with friends.. yes and still physical distancing. Walk among the trees, the flower beds and view the city on top of Connaught Hill Park.

 

Until tomorrow!

 

Jewels 

 

"Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat." L. I. Wilder

You just never know...

Day 257

 

 

It was quiet at the rocky/stone beach at Paddlewheel Park. I was just out doing some exploring along the Fraser Rivers edge. You never know what you may find, or what I may find interesting to photograph! 

And Yes, I did find something interesting! 

Sailing down the Fraser River

 Quickly sailing past me was this little paper boat! I did a very fast lens change and walk quickly down the slippery rocky beach to capture this photo. 

 

Moored at Paddlewheel Park

In this small pool area, was a second boat.. quietly resting. I changed my lens back to the 24mm lens to get this shot with the bridge in the background. 

 That just shows you that you never know what you may find when you are out for a walk! 

 

 I will see you all again tomorrow!

Thank you!xx

 

Jewels 

From 1909 to 1921 Paddlewheelers landed here to load and unload passengers and cargo for a busy town called Fort George now called Prince George.

 

 

"Sail away, Sail away, Sail away."

 

Red Leaves

Day 256

 

My mom taught me how to make dandelion and daisy chains to wear around your head like a crown or a necklace. When my girls were young, I did the same thing with them.. and took their photo of the dandelion princesses. 

I think I would like to start a new trend... making roses from the beautiful coloured leaves that are starting to fall to the ground. While I was having my morning cup of coffee I made a Blaze Maple Leaf Rose. 

Blaze Maple Leaf Rose 

 

Yellow and Red

Blaze Maple Leaf Rose

 

Daisy and Dandelion chains symbolizes innocence and purity. I am not sure what a leaf rose would symbolize? 

Roses are most commonly associated with love and romance. So, combining the two... pure love? Your thoughts?

 

Thank you for the wonderful comments! xx

Until next time!

Jewels 

"Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower." A. Camus 

Change

 

Day 255 

 Change:

1. make or become different

2. take or use instead of.

3.the act or instance of making or becoming

4. coins as opposed to paper currency

Change: to alter, transform, different direction or course, to replace, to switch, foliage to change colour, to put on fresh clothes.

 

Blaze Maple Tree

 

 

Close up of Blaze Maple Tree

 The Blaze Maple tree is starting to change colour, soon the whole tree with be this wonderful maple red which will brighten up a dreary Autumn day! 

 

 

I will see you tomorrow!

Until then,

Jewels 

 

"Autumn, is the season that teaches us, that change, can be beautiful!"